Solo Albums that are better than their respected bands...

Listening to a lot of Dickinson and Halford lately, I've come to realize that I like their solo material better than their actual bands. Don't get me wrong Maiden and Priest are great but I would put "Accident at Birth" and "Resurrection" right up there with any of their respected bands releases..

What solo albums do you prefer over their main band?

At their time of initial release, I enjoyed David Lee Roth's solo albums over the Van Hagar stuff. Time hasn't been kind to some of those, so that might not hold true for me anymore. Eat 'Em and Smile still kicks ass, though.

Not better, but Dio's solo material is at least as good as what he did in Rainbow and Sabbath.

I wouldn't say that Bruce D's Accident of Birth is better than anything Maiden had ever done, but it was certainly better than anything they'd released in a number of years.

I remember hearing that CD for the first time and thinking "Thank GOD!"

Fat Freddy wrote:

I wouldn't say that Bruce D's Accident of Birth is better than anything Maiden had ever done, but it was certainly better than anything they'd released in a number of years.

I remember hearing that CD for the first time and thinking "Thank GOD!"

Yea that album slays and def surpasses what Maiden was doing at the time.



James Labrie - Elements of Persuasion is another album I pick up before I reach for Dream Theater's Octavarium.

Blaze's solo stuff is also better than his Maiden records.  

I think that I prefer Devin Townsend Project/Devin Townsend Band/Devin Townsend stuff to Strapping Young Lad, but it's close!

Dio solo albums I prefer to his work with Rainbow and Sabbath.

James Labrie's Static Impulse is a very enjoyable listen, while Dream Theater drives me mad. Haven't heard other albums with him though.

Axel Rudo Pell studio output is known much more, and is much better, than his Steeler stuff.

Ronnie Munroe's recent solo album is a nice little CD. It was a shock I actually liked that one, because I've never been interested in MC line up with him behind the mic.

UDO's first 3 albums are up there with the best Accept material.

John Arch EP is better than what Fates Warning were doing in 84-86.

Orion Crystal Ice wrote:

Blaze's solo stuff is also better than his Maiden records.  

You got that right!!

Might be a bit of a stretch, but I prefer Zakk's work in Black Label Society moreso than most of the stuff he did with Ozzy. Except No More Tears.

Billy Joel's solo output smokes the stuff he did in Attilla. 

Blaze is a big duh, his solo stuff is high quality. Good call on Zakk.

I like Ozzy's first four solo albums and Dio's albums through Dream Evil better than Black Sabbath.

What about Danzig and King Diamond? Not familiar with their earlier work. Would King Diamond be considered solo material or is that considered another band?

I tend to listen to more Paul Gilbert as a solo artist over his Racer X days. The Racer X stuff is good, but a little dated. But I'd take either of those over Mr. Big anyday.

I prefer Megadeth to Metallica, does that count?

Boris2008 wrote:

I prefer Megadeth to Metallica, does that count?

To a Megs fanboy like myself it does!

I dig Doros solo albums over warlock (warlock rocks though)
Lita Ford over the runaways
Vince Neil over Motley Crue
Ross the boss to manowar

Robin Trower over Procol Harum
Gary Moore over his stint with Lizzy
Here's a good one: Donald Fagen's solo work over Steely Dan (except Aja, of course)

Obviously these aren't metal, though, soooo...

Pride and Glory over BLS
Arcade over Ratt
Geoff over Ryche

brokentulsa wrote:

I dig Doro's solo albums over Warlock (Warlock rocks though)

Agreed on both parts. Her solo stuff is more varied.

Not metal, but I prefer Fish's recent albums to Marillion's recent ones. Although neither have topped the albums they did when he was still in the band.

Randy Rose's solo stuff was MUCH better than Mad At The World.

80s Metal Lady wrote:

I like Ozzy's first four solo albums and Dio's albums through Dream Evil better than Black Sabbath.

What about Danzig and King Diamond?  Not familiar with their earlier work.  Would King Diamond be considered solo material or is that considered another band?

Danzig's stuff after is nowhere near as good as the might Misfits. Nowhere. I do enjoy 'Zig 1-3 and and his most recent album though.

I probably listen to solo Danzig more than the Misfits overall, but I don't know that one is better than the other. To me, it's apples and oranges. Just depends on the mood I'm in, I guess.

I can't really think of many. I disagree with most of the ones listed here already (of the ones I am familiar with).

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I probably listen to solo Danzig more than the Misfits overall, but I don't know that one is better than the other. To me, it's apples and oranges. Just depends on the mood I'm in, I guess.

Well, yes, I'd say they are probably the least similar of any of the solo records/original band records that have been listed. Aside from a glimmer of his vocal capabilties on Misfits' songs like "American Nightmare", the Misfits do not share much with Danzig.

Fat Freddy's playlist reminded me of another one...

I never cared much for the Sex Pistols, but I love Steve Jones' Fire & Gasoline album. His work with the Neurotic Outsiders is good too.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Fat Freddy's playlist reminded me of another one...

I never cared much for the Sex Pistols, but I love Steve Jones' Fire & Gasoline album. His work with the Neurotic Outsiders is good too.

I love the Pistols (and The Professionals), but actually just recently discovered Fire & Gasoline. That album smokes, for sure.